Following his Game 1 win over the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum strapped on an unusual choice for his post-game presser: the Richard Mille RM 07-01. The Coloured Ceramics collection, introduced in 2023 and inspired by the irreverent Memphis Group design movement, consists of three timepieces in pastel hues with automatic winding and a certain 1980s je ne sais quois. Next to his Rolexes, APs (he appeared to be wearing a Code 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked following Game 2), and even his RM 055 Bubba Watson, it certainly sticks out.
RM—famed for its use of advanced materials, tonneau-shaped cases, heavy associations with motorsport, and stratospherically-priced timepieces—threw a bit of a curveball when it introduced the Coloured Ceramics collections last fall. While certain online commenters decried them as garish or overpriced (accusations often leveled at the Swiss marque and its wares), others were quick to defend them for their “fun factor” and wonky design. On 6’8” Tatum’s wrist, the RM 07-01’s 45.6mm x 31.4 mm case wears small, but against Tatum’s monochromatic outfit of black blazer and matching t-shirt, it positively popped, adding fun sartorial counterpoint and a welcome break in a sea of same-same sports watches or iced-out, complicated pieces often seen courtside.
Despite their sophisticated movement architecture—more on this in a second—the RM 07-01 is most readily identifiable for its fun-loving case and dial colors. Available in blush pink, lavender, and powder blue, each case is crafted from biocompatible TZP (tetragonal zirconia polycrystal) ceramic with a hardness rating of 1,400 Vickers. Front and back case parts are joined with a caseband made from microblasted white gold with hand-polished pillars, and the whole shebang is finished with a dozen Grade 5 titanium spline screws with 316L stainless steel washers. (Still, the RM 07-01 only features 50m of water resistance—don’t forget to take it off before jumping off your yacht into the Tyrrhenian Sea!)
None of this is likely of much interest to all but the most diehard of watch nerds, however—after all, it’s the wonky and wonderful dial of the Coloured Ceramics that truly bears a closer glance. Drawing from the 1980s Memphis Group school founded by Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass, its skeletonized profile is adorned with colored ceramic, diamond settings, and laser-cut rubber appliqués in an asymmetric pattern that defies conventional watchmaking tropes. Easygoing and iridescent, the shapes are guillochéd for depth.
Each watch is powered by Richard Mille’s CRMA2 skeletonized automatic movement, which features 50 hours of power reserve; microblasted Grade 5 titanium bridges and baseplate; and a variable-geometry rotor that can be adjusted to the user’s activity level. (We’re not sure how horologically necessary that last feature is—but it sure sounds cool!) Paired to contrasting calfskin straps, they’re priced at $205,000—or roughly 683 MoonSwatches.
Not everyone will appreciate a candy-colored mashup of ‘80s eccentricity and science fiction-esque watchmaking—but there’s at least one guy who does, and we must say: Tatum makes it look rad.
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